Gourmet Cafe — Restaurant in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Mother of a small 2 months old who needed to feed herself, the baby and change his nappy. I went to Gourmet because it was close and I knew service was fast. I'd be 20 mins max. Ordered a veggies bagel that came within 5 mins, that was great because I was hungry, although the bagel was a bit though and a bit stale but nice cheese and veggies. Requested boiling water and jug of cold water so I could make baby his bottle, the waiter even added ice to help cool the bottle faster, great thinking! Later I asked about a changing station while standing with baby in my arms and changing bag in the other. The staff informed me that there isn't any in the place and went off to serve customers. Staff wasn't rude just matter of fact and just left me standing there. Baby needed to change his nappy, I looked around the place and wondered what I should do. I only see the entrance, the kitchen, the cafe floor and bathroom down the stairs and disabled toilet. I can't walk down the stairs with a bad back and baby and a bag and the disabled toilet doesn't have a flat surface to change the baby on, and I can't change baby on my lap in the toilet: too scared he'd fall. So I decided to change him at my table. The seat is low and the table high to give him 'privacy'. Not ideal but needed to be done. Manager comes and give out to me for changing the baby in the cafe when people are eating, and said I should have come to her even though I told her I asked the waiter and I had Baby and bag in my arms. I should have asked her about what to do if there isn't a place to change the baby. When I insisted that I did ask the waiter she asked what I could have done better! Informs me that there is space upstairs and I could have changed the baby there had I come to her.

It would have been great had I been informed when I had asked about a changing station with a baby and bag in my arms. The manager was rude and blame the whole situation on me.

Not wanting to leave on bad terms, I called the manager for a chat. I apologised for having have changed the baby in the cafe but it needed to be done, again she repeated her previous words. Talked some more about not being required to have a baby changing station in the toilets... I gave a suggestion to leave a sign in the toilet to inform customer to ask for staff assistance as there isn't a changing room in the place and basically it fell on dead ears; this problem never happened before people ask us what to do and we bring they upstairs she said. (So I should have prompted the staff to offer me a solution since there isn't a changing station?) I also wanted to say that she should have trained her staff to respond to customer needs.

I could see where she was coming from, I said that to her and acknowledge what needed to be acknowledged and I asked her to see it from my perspective but she had to have the last word by saying and quote: Don't let it happen again

It would have been nice for the manager to realise that I didn't know that the café had an upstairs where babies can be changed and to realise that it's not up to the customers to prompt for solutions even when they don't know the place. She should have realised that her and her staff failed to address an issue a customer was experiencing.

I am sorry I changed baby on the premise where people eat but I had to do it. I did ask and staff didn't respond properly. And I am disappointed with the manager's attitude and way she handled the situation.

Also I'm sorry I nearly walked out without paying, I was so upset by the lack of empathy showed and so exhausted that my mind lost focus...

So today we decided to go for a coffee to gourmet cafe in dunlaoghaire with fully qualified autism service dog Aly . Upon entering the cafe we were "greeted" by a waiter who looked at Aly in discust! And proceeded to point out that we had infact got a dog with us ? Then I reassured him Aly is a fully qualified service dog with full access rights ! He didnt quite believe this and when I stood my ground he ushered us to a booth and proceeded to tell me were and how "the dog" should sit !

With his attitude we definitely did not feel welcome and I reassured him we had full access rights that Aly was highly trained she would not cause any obstruction to staff of customers , then a fellow staff member proceeded to ask me why I was being rude ? That the cafe did not welcome dogs ,that he did not believe she was a service dog that the staff members were not dog friendly ! At this stage the customers in the cafe were horrified at how we were being spoken to and took issue with the staff . At this point I asked for to speak to a manager to be approached by the manager ? Who told us we were not welcome service dogs were not permitted to the cafe ! I proceeded to ring the guards when a customer stood up and told them they were a disgrace and were very wrong in what they were doing . The "manager " then back tracked and said we could sit if we wanted to ? And when I asked him was he aware of the legislation regarding guide dogs and service dogs he said no he didn't no what I was talking about ? That kind of says it all really ! Maybe higher management or owners would look into educating their staff before a law suit is slapped on them for discrimination !!! Shame on you...

I’ve been eyeing this little place everytime i’m in Dun Laoghaire and took the chance for a quick lunch here. The cafe always very busy and true enough, it was busy again. The servers were all very prompt and friendly eventhough they were swamped with work. I got my cappacino quickly and my lunch omelettew with a side salad. The portion was huge! Tasty overall though in the end one customer seated next to me pointed out the mold on a side of one of the sodabread slices. The server was apologetic and offered another slice of bread. The cakes look amazing from where i was seated but i was way too stuffed to have a slice. Prices were reasonable and i would definitely come back here again for a quick cup of coffee and a sandwich. The cafe’s atmosphere is definitely more nostalgic (which was what drew me in in the first place). If you’re looking for a modern hip cafe, this place isn’t for you. If you’re looking for a quick easy lunch and a nice simple place for comfort food, give...